phissy

I was trying to find the pic of ship worker eating lunch out on a balcony with slides. I am sure it is somewhere on Everything Prima thread. The slide tube is going right through the middle of the balcony. I can just imagine the noise during the day.

The only tip I can offer is it possible to change cabin location? We had very similar experience. I had booked 14790, Family suite last year for Prima. At the time of the booking, there were no slides. Deck plan did not show slide or an accurate descriptor of balcony(balconies). Booked with TA and he had no clue either at the time. In all of the promotional materials, pictures of the ship had no slides on the slides of the ship. a couple of weeks later, someone posted pics , ON CC, from shipyard with slides clearly on the sides. New NCL promotional materials were touting the "amazing slides" that will be onboard . Could not believe the slide was going right through our balcony! Pretty sure they are not listed as "Obstructed balconies/views". Quickly, changed and decided to upgrade. Haven 2 bedroom, booked as far away from slides as I could. We now have 14916. Also posted on our RollCall the warning of addition of slides. One member had balcony cabin right next to slide and was able to change. I think NCL will not be very accommodating as Prima has been a big seller and booked up quickly.

NCL charges corkage Fees. When we sailed in May on Encore to Alaska, we brought wine onboard. After security check in, taken over to table to have corkage fee assigned to room account and label sticker attached to bottles. I jokingly asked if fees are waived for Haven guests…..NO. Another interesting thing , NCL person registering the wine checked out the wine to see if it was not available onboard. Since our wines were “Kirkland “ wines, I knew they would be Ok to bring onboard. 😉

We also tried to book a cruise after expiration of VC membership. This was before MSC , thankfully, extended memberships 1 year. Unfortunately, VC points do not post until cruise is completed. So MSC has no way of knowing if you will complete your cruise ( for now) Since your cruise is in a few weeks, I wonder if you book new cruise now , without VC, and then apply your VC number to that cruise after your points and membership get updated? I guess that would still require a call, 😩. Just a thought…..

I agree. We usually do not book airline before noon for this reason. Why add this stress after a calming vacation? Our return in October was 12:30. Now, with schedule changes it is 4:45pm. As tempted as I was to change to the 10:30 am flight, decided it was not worth the stress. Also, Miguel….Welcome to Cruise Critic. Good luck.

Hurricane season normally June to November. When booking a cruise in the Caribbean, this is important to keep in mind. This year has been unusually quiet, so far. Some of the worst storms to make landfall have been later in the season. Looks like tropical storms are starting to line up across Atlantic . It is good idea to have a back up plan for your cruise. Cruise lines are always monitoring these and making their back up plans. Our last cruise was November and we had great weather. This year , we are sailing October and it could go either way. Perhaps less ports or sunny days, we are OK with that.

MSC Labor Day Sale Onboard Credit: o 2-4 nights – $100 per stateroom on Balcony; Suites & MSC Yacht Club. o 5-9 nights – $200 per stateroom on Balcony; Suites & MSC Yacht Club. o 10 nights & longer – $500 per stateroom on Balcony; Suites & MSC Yacht Club. Inside and Oceanview categories excluded. Onboard Credit can be used onboard the ship and on our exclusive private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Onboard credit is nonrefundable, nontransferable, and cannot be redeemed for cash. Other restrictions may apply

I also had this thought when I saw thread come live again. Oh Pete, our thoughts are still with you and your grandson. I know the prognosis was not good and my heart hurt for you and your family. Just know you are remembered for all your incredible work , helping other cruisers with their many questions.

Yes, enjoy your cruise. . Great upgrade, congrats

Correct to - Sailing moved to Virtuosa.

MSC did have space on Meraviglia and Grandosia designed by Cirque for performances. We did enjoy a couple of shows on Meraviglia. All of this went by the wayside with Covid. We have since sailed Meraviglia and space is now used as music performance venue . Cirque Du Soleil is still doing performances on tour. Here in Seattle we have regular performances.

Doones2 posted that they could see not see "anything about those sailings" I took that to mean that they could not find current info . Just posted what is currently on MSC site for those sailings. And it does seem there are no updates for those requirements.

Mediterranean Sailings VACCINE REQUIREMENTS: All guests 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of embarkation with at least two doses of a vaccine (for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a single dose is accepted), OR have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 6 months, OR have received only one dose of vaccine and have also recovered from COVID-19. Guests will need to show an EU Covid Digital certificate or equivalent valid documentation. A booster dose of a vaccine is not required but strongly recommended. If recovered from COVID-19, guests must provide a QR code or alternatively validating documentation or an antibody test with proven infection. COVID-19 TEST REQUIREMENTS: All guests 2 years & older are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before embarkation. Guests must bring the valid negative test certificate with them to the terminal. MSC Cruises may provide additional testing, if necessary, at the terminal during embarkation or on board to protect our guests and crew. Additional Travel Requirements for Israel: All guests who embark in Israel, must complete an entry statement within 48 hours before the ship’s departure. The declaration should be filled as an exit statement before departing https://corona.health.gov.il/en/flights/. All guests transiting within Israel, must complete and an entry statement before departing Kusadasi https://corona.health.gov.il/en/flights/ The original test results certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate must be presented at the terminal (paper or electronic format) and must be in one of the following languages: English, Italian, German, French or Spanish. The COVID-19 test certificate must contain the guest’s personal data (verifiable with the other travel documents), date of the test, identification / contact details of the center that performed the analysis, technique used, and negative test result. Click here to review & accept terms & conditions and confirm that you will be fully vaccinated at the time of your cruise. TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: For all new reservations, beginning July 1, 2022, MSC Cruises strongly encourages but does not require guests to purchase travel insurance with COVID-19 protection either through MSC Cruises or another provider. Guests can purchase travel insurance within 24 hours of making their final payment. During your cruise, you may be exposed to specific COVID-19 risks that may not be covered by existing insurance policies without COVID-19 protection such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance, and related expenses, as well as hospitalization. If you have no insurance in place, you may be exposed to additional costs that may not be covered by the company. The insurance should be purchased to cover you and your traveling party from the confirmation date of your booking through the end of your cruise and flight or your Stay & Cruise package. View our FAQs for additional details regarding Vaccine, COVID-19 Testing, and Travel Insurance requirements.

See you onboard! Glad this issue seems to be settled now.

VACCINATION POLICY For U.S. residents sailing to the Caribbean and The Bahamas from U.S. ports, vaccination is recommended but no longer required. Vaccinated guests must show proof of vaccination at embarkation and are recommended but not required to submit a negative COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated guests (excluding children under age 2) are required to submit a negative test at embarkation. For non-U.S. residents, full vaccination is required for guests 12 years and older. Regardless of vaccination status, guests 2 years and older must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen) at embarkation. More than 95% of the crew are fully vaccinated and regularly tested.

PEACE OF MIND If you test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to or during your cruise, you and your traveling party will receive a full or prorated refund and assistance if required, with onboard medical care and land-based quarantine.

MSC does not use the same format as NCL Haven. there is no pre-cruise concierge. Never been an issue for us , most requests handled on board. We sailed during the transition of the "mini"- mini bar set up to 1 bottle of liquor in YC. We were on B2B and first week , old mini bar set up. Then we were given the letter and briefed on the new YC mini bar policy. Chose a bottle and moved forward with this change. (Butler did keep us supplied in Choco Nuts) 🤫

Thank you for this post. It is a good reminder for those who have not cruised since 2018 that MSC has a policy of cruising at least every 3 years to maintain your status. Because of the pandemic and the pause in sailing, MSC extended all memberships an extra year, so 4 years to maintain status. You came back just "in time" 😁 Have a great cruise and welcome back.

MSC status match is a one time thing. You get one shot at it. There is no updating. Once you received your match, that is it for MSC.

Our issue with kids in Haven is when they behave as if they are home and in their own backyard. Yelling , running and screaming and behaving as if the pool is theirs alone . In Observation Lounge, had kids yell to family members when they were getting snacks. When walking to dinner, we Have been “hit” with water when kids in pool had small buckets and were throwing water at each other. No parents around. Lots of yelling, splashing and throwing objects This is not the norm. Many families travel with kids that are having a good time and being respectful. Kids who travel is not the issue, it is parents not explaining that behavior should reflect the situation. We have had many parents with kids that are really fun to watch as they enjoy a family vacation.

What ship, what itinerary, when is sailing….these would be required to give an answer.

Have a great cruise and a wonderful time. I sounds like you will enjoy the more European side of MSC.

I agree with Hank. ( Hlitner) I spend quite a bit of time on airline / flying sites. We fly about 35,000 miles a year. Using sites like TPG, Flyertalk, one mile at a time etc. has allowed us to travel and stay up to date on airline / travel policies and contribute helpful info to other travelers. Because of these sites, we Have been able to use miles for many FC flights internationally. Wading into cruise space is a departure from their wheelhouse. Like most reviews, this is a perspective that can be useful and interesting. Expectations are not always met. This is becoming more common as the landscape in leisure sector has changed from pandemic. Slow to return to previous levels. Patience and understanding is needed.

From Cruise Critic email received yesterday Cruise Critic The Weekender. Dated August 21 Vaccines, Masks and Testing: What Cruise Lines Require in 2022 As the cruise industry health and safety protocols continue to evolve, make sure you're up to date on what your line requires. Not all cruise lines have the same policies. Has link to open [See Our List] There is a list of cruise lines and lists current policies. Not sure how outdated MSC info is. I copied list for MSC .

I got my information from both YC Director and Captain. MSC held groundbreaking for new Marine conservation Center during the time we were sailing. November 2021. We were not there for that day but arrived day after.